NFC Championship Game Preview: Rams at Seahawks

Playoff Resume Check

Seahawks

• Divisional Round: Dominated San Francisco 41–6
• Complete performance on all three phases, including a special teams touchdown
• Franchise-best regular-season win total
• Enter the weekend as one of the favorites to win Super Bowl LX

Rams

• Divisional Round: Defeated Chicago 20–17 in overtime
• Playing their third straight road playoff game
• Have a chance to become the first team since the 2010–11 Packers to win the Super Bowl without hosting a playoff game
• Dangerous when clicking on all cylinders, built on veteran leadership and opportunistic defense

Key Injuries

Seahawks:

• Zach Charbonnet (RB) — Out, torn ACL

Star Players to Watch

Seahawks

• Kenneth Walker III (RB): Must shoulder the rushing load with Charbonnet sidelined
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR): Critical to expanding the passing game and giving Sam Darnold a reliable target
• Seattle Defense: A top-two unit all season, elite at every level and built to limit explosive offenses

Rams

• Matthew Stafford (QB): Proven postseason performer who thrives in high-pressure moments
• Puka Nacua (WR): Game-breaker capable of flipping field position in a single snap
• Davante Adams (WR): Hall-of-Fame talent who delivers in big situations
• Rams Defensive Line: Must disrupt early downs and pressure Darnold consistently

How Each Team Wins

Seahawks Win If:

• They establish the run game and control the clock
• The secondary limits explosive plays from Nacua and Adams — make someone else beat you
• The game stays physical and the home crowd creates sustained pressure

Rams Win If:

• They force early turnovers and capitalize on short fields
• Offensive balance keeps Seattle’s elite defense guessing
• The defensive front pressures Darnold while the secondary locks onto Seattle’s top targets

Prediction

This matchup feels like a heavyweight fight between two legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The Rams bring the better quarterback and offensive ceiling, while Seattle counters with the league’s most complete defense and a massive home-field advantage. Lumen Field will be electric in Seattle’s first NFC Championship Game at home since 2015 — but when the game tightens late, Matthew Stafford’s postseason poise makes the difference.

Final Score:
Rams 24, Seahawks 20

Los Angeles advances to its first Super Bowl since the 2021–22 season, when it finished the job and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.